Jeff George as Bears Backup Quarterback???

Sean Jensen hasn’t been around town very long and he’s already on my list for a LOWER THE BOOM post. Congratulations Sean!

In today’s Inside the Bears blog, Jensen suggests the Bears consider Jeff George as a backup quarterback.  Yes, that Jeff George.  Former #1 draft pick… from 1990!

Jensen spent years covering the Minnesota Vikings and I guess the stupid pills they were feeding their media people up there haven’t worn off.   Maybe he’s blinded by 40 year old Brett Favre’s return to his Vikings or he’s discovered a fountain of youth.  I can’t come up with another logical explanation for why anyone in their right mind would consider George to do anything on a football field at the ripe old age of 42.  This from Jensen’s post:

"During my sportswriting career, I’m not sure I’ve seen any quarterback throw the ball so hard and so accurately, and I’ve covered the likes of Favre, Randall Cunningham and Daunte Culpepper. What George did in 1999 was remarkable. After Dennis Green benched the struggling Cunningham, George nearly rallied the Vikings to a second-half comeback in Detroit, completing 10 of 12 passes for 214 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.George went 8-2 down the stretch as a starter, and his numbers were eye-opening (23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 94.2 passer rating). Then, in two playoff games, he threw seven touchdowns against one interception, with the Vikings losing a shoot out the eventual Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams."

Did he just climb into a Hot Tub Time Machine?  It’s 2010, Sean.  That run was over 10 years ago!!!  The last meaningful action that George was in 2001 for the Washington Redskins, when George went 23 of 42 for 168 yards, 0 TD’s, 3 INT’s and 6 sacks in two games.

Funny enough, this wouldn’t be George’s first stint with the Bears.  He was actually on the payroll back in 2004.  Don’t you remember?  This from his Wikipedia page:

"Chicago BearsIn 2004, after two years away from the game, the Chicago Bears became the seventh NFL team to employ George, signing him to a one-year contract in November for a partial season backup role; but again he never took the field during a game, and he wasn’t retained by the Bears for the 2005 season, and was not signed by any team. The Detroit Lions worked him out during their bye week in the event they needed another quarterback. However, George was not offered a contract."

But the fun doesn’t stop at the mere suggestion of pulling George out of mothballs to sling the rock for the Beloved.  Jensen actually suggests George could serve as a mentor to Jay Cutler.  No, really.  I can’t make this stuff up.  Check it out:

"By now, George surely would embrace his role as Jay Cutler’s backup. And, given some of the criticisms Cutler has endured, George is equipped to perhaps offer his insight as a former top pick.Guaranteed money has been a sticking point in the Bears’ search for a veteran quarterback. But, George isn’t in the proverbial drivers’ seat anymore; he’d take the league minimum, carry a clipboard and offer his insight of an offense he’s familiar with.As I mentioned in today’s story, the Bears are not done addressing the quarterback position. Given how strange the whole process has been, it’ll be interesting — and somewhat fitting — to see if George enters the picture."

People actually compared Cutler and the way he carries himself to George before.  It wasn’t meant to be a compliment.  Add Mike Martz to the mix and you’ve got a mix too combustible for words.

Let’s face it, if Cutler goes down, Lovie, Jerry and company will start packing their bags.  Why not dust off Jim McMahon? Or a cardboard cutout of Sid Luckman?

I would expect such a proposal from one of the meatball callers into The Score, not someone who actually gets paid by a major newspaper to cover football.  Now hang up on yourself and “Who ya crappin’?”

BOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!

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